Lily Freeman

 

Lily Freeman is nominated for our prestigious Golden Flogger Award for her book, A Little Band of Red

 

Why did you begin writing BDSM novels?
I read a lot of them to be honest, and I loved the intensity of a good BDSM novel. It was refreshing to find a genre where character development wasn’t shown through unrealistic events, but rather couples trying to find a connection with each other, physically and emotionally.

What does being nominated for the Golden Flogger Award mean to you?
A lot! I know when I started reading BDSM novels, several authors stood out right from the start, and I see that all of them have been nominated at some point, so to be even remotely close to them … amazing.

Where would you like to see the BDSM genre head? How will it get there?
Personally, I would love to see a lot more focus on the actual characters in a book moving forward. I always have a bit of a ‘oh, here it comes’ moment when the H has a back story littered with tragedy, and the h is stuck in some financially binding situation that can only be rectified by a man with money. I want to read about normal people with normal issues, relatable ones. Just negotiating one’s way through a modern day relationship can be a minefield, throw in a BDSM element, some power play, and you have a story, if your characters are interesting enough.

What is the hardest part of writing your novel?
Finding the time. I see my novels very clearly before I write them, so there are no plot surprises I don’t see coming. I love the build up to the climax of a story, but if you can’t get a good run at the writing process, it can feel like you’re stuck in the same section of the book forever. Mentally, that’s exhausting.

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing works.
Professionally, I have spent the last twenty years in the fashion industry, specializing in women’s fashion and design. Writing was something that I fell into rather than sought out, so to be honest, I’m very new to it. A Little Band of Red is my first novel, but it was written in conjunction with Fire in the Blood and To Catch a Flame, so the three are very closely linked together. I write every day, and can’t imagine my life without it now. It is by far, the most satisfying thing I have been involved in.

Will you be attending BDSM Writers Con or other events we can meet you at?
Unfortunately, not. I live in New Zealand, and run a very time consuming business. While writing is my passion, at the moment it’s just a hobby.

Information about Lilly Freeman
I didn’t discover writing like most authors do. There was no childhood dream, no undeniable urge to put pen to paper. My story started off with an unexpected life changing event : a sizeable tax refund and a water-taxi ride caught from the wrong side of the Thames. I’ve always been an avid reader and a daydreamer, so when an idea for a novel was born from those three seemingly unrelated events, I ran with it.
That idea became an obsession and also a passion. My characters are big and bold, the men are dominant to a fault and the women are strong and sassy. I’m fascinated by the concept of fate. One decision causing another and another, all of them having consequences which ultimately draw my characters together only to tear them apart. There will always be a happy ending, because there’s no denying, I’m a romantic at heart – but a little pain woven amongst all that pleasure makes for a very explosive plot.

When I’m not writing or meticulously plotting my next novel, I am a wife and a mother. I have a healthy appetite for physically challenging sports and I love coffee. If all else fails, you’ll find me reading a book which was how my journey began and will no doubt be how it will end.